\n<\/p>\n
Exports increased by \u20ac4.26 billion compared with the same seven-month period in 2025. Excluding petroleum products, exports reached \u20ac23.6666 billion, up 6.9%, while exports excluding both petroleum products and ships rose 6.7% to \u20ac23.5442 billion.<\/p>\n
Exports exceed \u20ac5 billion for fourth consecutive month<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Exports reached \u20ac5.0733 billion in July, compared with \u20ac4.3786 billion in July 2025, marking a 15.9% increase.<\/p>\n July marked the fourth consecutive month in which exports exceeded \u20ac5 billion and the fifth consecutive month of growth.<\/p>\n Excluding petroleum products, July exports increased 6.3% to \u20ac3.5986 billion. Excluding both petroleum products and ships, they rose 6.4% to \u20ac3.5782 billion.<\/p>\n Imports increased by 7.2% during the first seven months, reaching \u20ac51.8985 billion, compared with \u20ac48.3991 billion in the same period last year.<\/p>\n Excluding petroleum products, imports rose 1.9% to \u20ac39.7432 billion, while excluding both petroleum products and ships, they increased 2% to \u20ac39.4297 billion.<\/p>\n The trade deficit fell by 3.8% to \u20ac19.1427 billion, from \u20ac19.9009 billion in the first seven months of 2025. Excluding petroleum products, the deficit declined 4.7% to \u20ac16.0766 billion, while excluding petroleum products and ships, it fell 4.2% to \u20ac15.8855 billion.<\/p>\n The export-to-import coverage ratio also improved, reaching 63.1% from 58.9% a year earlier. Excluding petroleum products, the ratio rose to 59.5% from 56.8%.<\/p>\n Fuel exports drive much of the increase<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n According to the PSE analysis, petroleum products and fuels recorded a 41% increase, adding \u20ac2.86 billion and accounting for around two-thirds \u2014 or 67% \u2014 of the total increase in exports during the seven-month period.<\/p>\n The non-energy core of exports grew by 6.9%, adding \u20ac1.52 billion.<\/p>\n Raw materials led the gains with an increase of 23.2%, followed by food at 10.2% and machinery at 9.8%. Overall, nine of the 10 sectors recorded export growth during the first seven months.<\/p>\n By sector, petroleum products and fuels rose 41% to \u20ac9.8326 billion, while food and live animals increased 10.2% to \u20ac5.9844 billion. Industrial products rose 5.4% to \u20ac4.8093 billion and chemicals increased 5.1% to \u20ac4.025 billion.<\/p>\n Machinery exports grew 9.8% to \u20ac3.1217 billion, miscellaneous manufactured articles rose 1.7% to \u20ac2.2155 billion, and raw materials increased 23.2% to \u20ac1.2222 billion.<\/p>\n Beverages and tobacco rose 0.6% to \u20ac932.6 million, while confidential products increased 4.8% to \u20ac83.6 million. Oils were the only sector to record a decline over the seven-month period, falling 18.7% to \u20ac529 million.<\/p>\n In July, exports increased in seven of the 10 sectors. Raw materials rose 40.7%, petroleum products and fuels 42.3%, food and live animals 11%, industrial products 9.3%, chemicals 7%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 8.8% and confidential products 28.2%.<\/p>\n Machinery exports declined 0.3%, beverages and tobacco fell 2.5%, while oils dropped 20%.<\/p>\n EU and third-country exports both rise<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Exports to European Union countries increased 10.9% in July to \u20ac2.8466 billion, accounting for 56.1% of total exports.<\/p>\n Exports to third countries rose 22.9% to \u20ac2.2267 billion, giving them a 43.9% share.<\/p>\n Excluding petroleum products, exports to the EU increased 7.4% in July to \u20ac2.3619 billion, while exports to third countries rose 4.4% to \u20ac1.2367 billion.<\/p>\n During the first seven months, exports to EU countries increased 15.1% to \u20ac18.9922 billion, accounting for 58% of total exports. Exports to third countries rose 14.8% to \u20ac13.7636 billion, with a 42% share.<\/p>\n Excluding petroleum products, exports to the EU rose 8.7% to \u20ac15.931 billion, while exports to third countries increased 3.3% to \u20ac7.7356 billion. The respective shares stood at 67.3% and 32.7%.<\/p>\n PSE warns of cost pressures<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The PSE identified high energy and transport costs, supply-chain disruptions and the euro-dollar exchange rate as factors putting pressure on exporters\u2019 profit margins.<\/p>\n The association also highlighted deeper penetration of non-energy products into third-country markets as the next major challenge for Greek exporters.<\/p>\n Its roadmap to 2030 has two main objectives: expanding Greece\u2019s export base so that more small and medium-sized enterprises can establish an international presence, and shifting the export mix towards higher-value products.<\/p>\n The PSE called on the government to provide a stable tax and regulatory environment, faster customs procedures and better infrastructure, liquidity and export-credit insurance tools, as well as practical support for exporters\u2019 day-to-day operations.<\/p>\n PSE president highlights US trade<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n PSE President Alkiviadis Kalabokis said July demonstrated the \u201cconsistency\u201d of Greek export performance, with exports exceeding \u20ac5 billion for the fourth consecutive month and increasing for the fifth consecutive month.<\/p>\n He said the seven-month performance, with exports up 14.9% and exceeding \u20ac32.7 billion, represented a sustained growth trajectory rather than a one-off strong result.<\/p>\n Kalabokis also highlighted the breadth of the increase, noting that nine out of 10 sectors recorded growth and that the non-energy core of exports increased by 6.9%, led by raw materials, food and machinery.<\/p>\n He pointed to digital transformation, electronic invoicing and data-analysis tools as factors helping small and medium-sized businesses target new markets. He described supply-chain digitalisation as a new source of competitiveness.<\/p>\n Kalabokis also stressed the importance of Greece\u2019s trade relationship with the United States. Greek exports to the US increased 16.3% during the first seven months of 2026, reaching \u20ac1.59 billion from \u20ac1.37 billion.<\/p>\n At the same time, imports from the US increased 57.1%, reaching \u20ac2.23 billion from \u20ac1.42 billion.<\/p>\n He said the wider trade deficit with the US did not indicate weak Greek exports, which continued to grow, but mainly reflected Greece\u2019s energy and technological dependence on the United States.<\/p>\n Kalabokis warned, however, that the positive figures should not lead to complacency.<\/p>\n \u201cHigh energy and transport costs, supply-chain disruptions and the euro-dollar exchange rate are squeezing margins,\u201d he said, while deeper penetration of non-energy products into third countries remains a major challenge.<\/p>\n He said the PSE\u2019s 2030 roadmap, submitted to the Prime Minister ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair, aims to expand Greece\u2019s export base and shift the country\u2019s export mix towards higher-value products.<\/p>\n The PSE president called for a stable tax and regulatory framework, faster customs procedures and infrastructure, liquidity and export-credit insurance tools, as well as practical day-to-day support for exporters.<\/p>\n He said the four-month run above the \u20ac5 billion threshold had demonstrated what Greek production can achieve when it combines quality, technology and ambition.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n